Jesus’ Simple Teachings
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. (Matt 7:28-29)
I love conferences and courses where participants are given small questionnaires to evaluate the speakers. Evaluation criteria includes aspects like: speaker’s mastery of content, confidence, how well the session learning objectives were met, best idea heard in the session that a participant plans to use. Indeed even if the little questionnaire is not issued, listeners will always evaluate the speaker in one way or another, and they share their comments; that’s alright, and when these comments are used by organizations to better the courses, there is great growth in the sharing and application of knowledge. Biblical evidence shows that such vetting existed in the first century as well; not even Jesus Christ was spared from this kind of scrutiny!
Jesus taught using simple words and methods; he told stories – numerous parables – pulling spiritual truth from everyday life, making the point more memorable and profoundly connected. He also used hyperbole – using outrageous examples, exaggerations or shocking statements like ‘cutting off a hand that causes you to sin’ – he used these to captured people’s attention. Additionally, Jesus crafted memorable sayings that are easy to quote. Then he employed dialogue sometimes, and asked questions, thus, like Socrates, leading his audience to conclusions using their own brains. Jesus also used object lessons – he washed his disciples’ feet, and used the widow’s offering as a teaching tool among many others.
Many parts of the gospels bring out the comments of the hearers regarding Jesus’ teachings. At one time they commented, “This is a hard teaching. Who can accept it?” and many of them turned back and no longer followed him. Yet others who listened to the same teaching responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:60, 68). This is not simply one man’s meet is another man’s poison; it rather shows the different responses in our congregation today; some hard hearts will be put off, while receptive ones will be nourished; and you should be bothered as to what your evaluation of the Great Teacher is. Your response determines your destiny.
One writer admonishes pastors thus: “Jesus is the greatest preacher to ever walk the face of the earth. If there is anyone we should emulate in our preaching it is Jesus!” Simple as his teachings were, yet it was undeniable among the crowds that this was not just another lecture; Jesus’ sessions came with power to change hearts, power to affect the world, power going above mere intellectualism; he taught as one who had authority. My prayer is that the power in the Word will draw you in and eternally hold you in the Kingdom of God.
God bless you as you heed the simple teachings of Jesus Christ!